[go: up one dir, main page]

CN201041843Y - electrical connector - Google Patents

electrical connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN201041843Y
CN201041843Y CNU2007200352843U CN200720035284U CN201041843Y CN 201041843 Y CN201041843 Y CN 201041843Y CN U2007200352843 U CNU2007200352843 U CN U2007200352843U CN 200720035284 U CN200720035284 U CN 200720035284U CN 201041843 Y CN201041843 Y CN 201041843Y
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
elastic arm
electrical connector
arm
insulating body
baffle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CNU2007200352843U
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Inventor
关海飞
卜学武
刘廷顺
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Foxconn Kunshan Computer Connector Co Ltd
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Foxconn Kunshan Computer Connector Co Ltd
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Foxconn Kunshan Computer Connector Co Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd filed Critical Foxconn Kunshan Computer Connector Co Ltd
Priority to CNU2007200352843U priority Critical patent/CN201041843Y/en
Priority to US12/075,145 priority patent/US7677907B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN201041843Y publication Critical patent/CN201041843Y/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/721Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70Coupling devices
    • H01R12/7005Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors
    • H01R12/7011Locking or fixing a connector to a PCB
    • H01R12/7017Snap means
    • H01R12/7029Snap means not integral with the coupling device

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical connector used for inserting with an electronic card comprises a lengthwise insulation body and a conductive terminal. The insulation body is provided with a central slot and a terminal groove. An arm comprising a side arm and an elastic arm is arranged on the end part of the insulation body, wherein, the elastic arm is provided with a stopping block. The electrical connector also comprises a locating device for positioning the elastic arm. The locating device is provided with a baffle which can move together with the elastic arm. The side arm is provided with a raised block which can push against and hold the baffle. When a card is inserted in, the baffle is pushing against on one side of the raised block to prevent the elastic arm from deforming in large scale, thereby ensuring the structural intensity of the electrical connector. When the card is retreated back, the baffle moves to push against at the other side of the raised block and does not rebound back to prevent the elastic arm from moving back, thereby being convenient to pull out the electronic card.

Description

Electric connector
[technical field]
The relevant a kind of electric connector of the utility model relates in particular to a kind of electric connector that is soldered on the circuit board.
[background technology]
Related art can be consulted in U.S.'s patent of invention the 5th of bulletin on April 30th, 1996,511, a kind of electric connector that is used to plug electronic cards that No. 985 patent disclosed, it includes the insulating body and the conducting terminal of lengthwise, insulating body is provided with central slot and accommodates the terminal groove of conducting terminal in longitudinally, end in the insulating body longitudinally is provided with arm, arm includes the two side, be located at accepting groove between the two side and the elastic arm between the two side, is provided with the fixture block that can hold electronic cards in the two side.Elastic arm bumps and strain takes place through regular meeting and electronic cards when electronic cards is inserted; when its strain is big, be easy to rupture; in addition; after electronic cards is held by the fixture block on the two side; thereby when extracting, electronic cards can cause moving back the card difficulty with the fixture block interference; simultaneously, thus fixture block is easy to be worn and loses the effect of holding.
Therefore, at above-mentioned technical problem, be necessary to provide a kind of structure improved electric connector that has, to overcome above-mentioned defective.
[utility model content]
The purpose of this utility model is to provide a kind of card electric connector easily that moves back.
For reaching above-mentioned purpose, the utility model adopts following technical scheme: a kind of electric connector, in order to the grafting electronic cards, it includes the insulating body and the conducting terminal of lengthwise, insulating body is provided with and is positioned at longitudinally in order to the central slot of accommodating electronic cards and in order to accommodate the terminal groove of conducting terminal, end in the insulating body longitudinally is provided with arm, arm includes sidewall and elastic arm, wherein, elastic arm is provided with in order to hold the fixture block of electronic cards, electric connector also includes the positioner in order to the location elastic arm, and described positioner includes can be with the mobile baffle plate of elastic arm, and sidewall is provided with the projection that can support baffle plate.
Compared with prior art, the utlity model has following beneficial effect: positioner matches with elastic arm, and the side that baffle plate supports at projection can prevent that the distortion of electronic cards elastic arm when inserting is bigger, has guaranteed the structural strength of electric connector, in addition, when electronic cards is extracted, elastic arm is moved, make fixture block no longer contact with electronic cards, at this moment, baffle plate also moves and is supported at opposite side by projection and can not rebound, and can prevent that elastic arm from moving on to original position, thereby make things convenient for electronic cards to extract from slot.
The utility model is described in further detail below in conjunction with accompanying drawing and preferred embodiment.
[description of drawings]
Fig. 1 is the stereogram of the utility model electric connector and electronic cards.
Fig. 2 is the three-dimensional exploded view of the utility model electric connector.
Fig. 3 is the partial enlarged drawing of double dot dash line A part among Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is the partial enlarged drawing of double dot dash line B part among Fig. 1.
[embodiment]
See also Figure 1 and Figure 2, the utility model electric connector 100 includes insulating body 1, conducting terminal 2 and the positioner 3 of lengthwise.
The terminal groove 13 that insulating body 1 is provided with central slot 12 and is located at central slot 12 both sides and is connected with central slot 12 in longitudinally, the bottom of insulating body 1 is provided with the reference column 18 of downward extension, insulating body 1 is equipped with arm 10 in the both ends of longitudinally, arm 10 includes the sidewall 15 that extends upward and be provided with in pairs, accepting groove 14 of being located between the two side 15 and being connected and the elastic arm 16 between two side 15 with central slot 12, sidewall 15 and elastic arm 16 are to be shaped on the insulating body 1 in the present embodiment, also can be to be assembled on the insulating body 1 after the independent moulding in other embodiments, be formed with slit 11 between two side 15 and the elastic arm 16, the lower end, the outside and the elastic arm 16 of two side 15 are formed with location notch 17 jointly, be equipped with the guidance part 153 that in accepting groove 14, protrudes out on the two side 15, guidance part 153 is positioned at the inboard of elastic arm 16, when elastic arm 16 moves inward when excessive, guidance part 153 can support elastic arm 16, the stop section 155 that is provided with projection 157 and upwards protrudes out, the top of a sidewall 15 wherein, elastic arm 16 is provided with the fixture block 162 that inwardly protrudes out, and fixture block 162 has been provided with the inclined-plane 163 of guide function.
The connecting portion 22 that conducting terminal 2 includes contact site 21, afterbody 23 and connects contact site 21 and afterbody 23.
Pulling part 32 and baffle plate 37 that positioner 3 includes main part 31, be located at the buckling parts 33 of main part 31 upper ends, be located at the fixed part 35 of main part 31 lower ends, autonomous body 31 1 sides are extended, the both sides of fixed part 35 are provided with the retaining sheet 356 that bending is extended.
See also Fig. 1 to shown in Figure 4, during assembling, earlier conducting terminal 2 is assembled in the terminal groove 13 of insulating body 1, the contact site 21 of conducting terminal 2 protrudes in the central slot 12, and afterbody 23 extends insulating body 1 downwards.Positioner 3 is assembled on the arm 10 of insulating body 1, the intensity of elastic arm 16 can be strengthened in the outside that the main part 31 of positioner 3 is coated on elastic arm 16, prevent to be broken off with the fingers and thumb disconnected, fixed part 35 is fixed on the location notch 17 of arm 10, buckling parts 33 is held on the elastic arm 16, baffle plate 37 is supported by projection 157, thereby finishes the assembling of whole electric connector 100.When inserting electronic cards 200, electronic cards 200 is along in inclined-plane 163 on two elastic arms, 16 fixture blocks 162 and the central slot 12 of 153 insertions of the guidance part on the sidewall 15, at this moment, the side that baffle plate 37 supports at projection 157 can prevent that the distortion of electronic cards 200 elastic arm 16 when inserting is bigger, thereby guaranteed the structural strength of electric connector 100, after inserting electronic cards 200, guidance part 153 can be clamped in the both sides of electronic cards 200, fixture block 162 on the elastic arm 16 is held in the groove 201 of electronic cards 200, when withdrawing from electronic cards 200, pull the pulling part 32 on two positioners 3 and drive elastic arm 16 outwards mobile to the lengthwise two ends, baffle plate 37 outwards moves and crosses by force the projection 157 on the sidewall 15 simultaneously, the setting of stop section 155 can be prevented that distances that baffle plate 37 outwards moves are excessive and cause the fracture of elastic arm 16, therefore, after moving, baffle plate 37 can be limited between projection 157 and the stop section 155, and baffle plate 37 will resist at the opposite side of projection 157 and can resilience, simultaneously, fixture block 162 on the elastic arm 16 can withdraw from the groove 201 on the electronic cards 200 and can not retract original position, thereby makes things convenient for electronic cards to extract from slot 12.
In other embodiment of the present utility model, described positioner 3 and elastic arm 16 structure that can be formed in one, baffle plate 37 is that the extension of own elasticity arm 16 one forms, in addition, positioner 3 can not be provided with pulling part 32, when moving back card, the top of pulling baffle plate 37 or elastic arm 16 can make elastic arm 16 outwards move, and can reach the purpose of this utility model equally.

Claims (10)

1.一种电连接器,用以插接电子卡,其包括有纵长的绝缘本体以及导电端子,绝缘本体设有位于纵长方向用以收容电子卡的中央插槽以及用以收容导电端子的端子槽,于绝缘本体纵长方向的端部设有臂部,臂部包括有侧壁及弹性臂,其特征在于:弹性臂上设有用以卡持电子卡的卡块,电连接器还包括有用以定位弹性臂的定位装置,所述定位装置包括有可与弹性臂一起移动的挡板,侧壁上设有可抵持挡板的凸块。1. An electrical connector for inserting an electronic card, which includes a longitudinal insulating body and a conductive terminal, the insulating body is provided with a central slot located in the longitudinal direction for accommodating the electronic card and for accommodating the conductive terminal The terminal groove of the insulating body is provided with an arm at the end of the lengthwise direction of the insulating body. The arm includes a side wall and an elastic arm. It is characterized in that: the elastic arm is provided with a block for holding the electronic card. A positioning device for positioning the elastic arm is included, the positioning device includes a baffle that can move together with the elastic arm, and a projection that can resist the baffle is provided on the side wall. 2.如权利要求1所述的电连接器,其特征在于:所述侧壁上设有挡止部,定位装置的挡板向外移动后可限制在凸块与挡止部之间。2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is provided on the side wall, and the stopper of the positioning device can be limited between the protrusion and the stopper after moving outward. 3.如权利要求1所述的电连接器,其特征在于:所述侧壁成对设置,臂部还包括有设于两侧壁之间的收容槽,所述收容槽用以收容电子卡并与中央插槽相连通。3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the side walls are arranged in pairs, and the arm portion further includes a receiving groove disposed between the two side walls, and the receiving groove is used for receiving an electronic card And communicate with the central slot. 4.如权利要求3所述的电连接器,其特征在于:侧壁上设有向收容槽内凸伸的导引部,所述导引部位于弹性臂的内侧并可抵持弹性臂。4 . The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3 , wherein a guide portion protruding into the receiving groove is provided on the side wall, and the guide portion is located inside the elastic arm and can abut against the elastic arm. 5.如权利要求1所述的电连接器,其特征在于:所述弹性臂与侧壁之间形成有狭槽。5. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a slot is formed between the elastic arm and the side wall. 6.如权利要求1所述的电连接器,其特征在于:所述弹性臂是组装于绝缘本体上或一体成型于绝缘本体上。6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic arm is assembled on the insulating body or integrally formed on the insulating body. 7.如权利要求1所述的电连接器,其特征在于:定位装置包括有包覆于弹性臂外侧的主体部。7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning device comprises a main body covering the outer side of the elastic arm. 8.如权利要求7所述的电连接器,其特征在于:定位装置还包括有扣合部,所述扣合部设于主体部的一端并卡持在弹性臂上。8. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the positioning device further comprises a buckling portion, the buckling portion is disposed at one end of the main body and is clamped on the elastic arm. 9.如权利要求7所述的电连接器,其特征在于:所述主体部的一端设有可固定在绝缘本体上的固定部,于固定部上设有固持片。9 . The electrical connector as claimed in claim 7 , wherein one end of the main body is provided with a fixing portion capable of being fixed on the insulating body, and a holding piece is arranged on the fixing portion. 10 . 10.如权利要求7所述的电连接器,其特征在于:定位装置还包括有扳动部,所述扳动部及挡板均设于主体部的一侧。10. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the positioning device further comprises a pulling part, and the pulling part and the baffle are both arranged on one side of the main body.
CNU2007200352843U 2007-03-09 2007-03-09 electrical connector Expired - Lifetime CN201041843Y (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CNU2007200352843U CN201041843Y (en) 2007-03-09 2007-03-09 electrical connector
US12/075,145 US7677907B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2008-03-10 Card edge connector with a metallic reinforcement piece

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CNU2007200352843U CN201041843Y (en) 2007-03-09 2007-03-09 electrical connector

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN201041843Y true CN201041843Y (en) 2008-03-26

Family

ID=39253558

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CNU2007200352843U Expired - Lifetime CN201041843Y (en) 2007-03-09 2007-03-09 electrical connector

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US7677907B2 (en)
CN (1) CN201041843Y (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017054157A1 (en) * 2015-09-30 2017-04-06 Honeywell International Inc. Guide and support apparatus for printed circuit board
CN110789309A (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-14 矢崎总业株式会社 Connector for sunshade board
CN110970749A (en) * 2019-12-19 2020-04-07 上海创功通讯技术有限公司 ZIF connector, ZIF connector combination and terminal

Families Citing this family (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN201303139Y (en) * 2008-10-27 2009-09-02 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Edge connector
JP2010225466A (en) * 2009-03-24 2010-10-07 Fujitsu Component Ltd Connector for board connection
TWM383842U (en) * 2009-08-24 2010-07-01 Horng-Yu Tsai Electrical connector
CN201773984U (en) * 2009-09-15 2011-03-23 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 card edge connector
US20110171846A1 (en) * 2010-01-11 2011-07-14 Dell Products L.P. Circuit Card Latching Arm Arresting Apparatus
SG176320A1 (en) * 2010-05-11 2011-12-29 Molex Singapore Pte Ltd Card edge connector and connector assembly including the same
JP5099387B2 (en) * 2010-09-09 2012-12-19 第一精工株式会社 Connector device
CN202025875U (en) * 2011-01-07 2011-11-02 美国莫列斯股份有限公司 Card edge connector
CN102623817A (en) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-01 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 Memory snap device
TW201232952A (en) * 2011-01-28 2012-08-01 Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd Latch apparatus for memory card
CN202840108U (en) * 2011-08-12 2013-03-27 Fci公司 Electrical connector with side-mounted latch
CN202363681U (en) * 2011-11-02 2012-08-01 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Card edge connector
US8968019B2 (en) * 2011-11-29 2015-03-03 Apple Inc. Folding SO-DIMM socket
JP5549821B2 (en) * 2012-04-17 2014-07-16 第一精工株式会社 Electrical connector
US8851916B2 (en) * 2012-05-17 2014-10-07 Kunshan Jiahua Electronics Co., Ltd. Card edge connector with improved locking arm
US9252528B2 (en) * 2013-07-02 2016-02-02 Germane Systems, Llc Printed circuit board, method of manufacturing same, and method of mounting the circuit board in a connector socket
USD733145S1 (en) * 2014-03-14 2015-06-30 Kingston Digital, Inc. Memory module
USD735201S1 (en) * 2014-07-30 2015-07-28 Kingston Digital, Inc. Memory module
WO2018136736A1 (en) * 2017-01-20 2018-07-26 Fci Usa Llc Compact card edge connector
CN207320369U (en) * 2017-03-07 2018-05-04 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Bayonet connector
USD868069S1 (en) * 2017-06-29 2019-11-26 V-Color Technology Inc. Memory device
CN109390721B (en) * 2017-08-14 2021-10-26 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Card edge connector
USD897345S1 (en) * 2018-12-07 2020-09-29 Sung-Yu Chen Double-data-rate SDRAM card
USD954061S1 (en) * 2018-12-07 2022-06-07 Sung-Yu Chen Double-data-rate SDRAM card
CN111834769B (en) * 2019-04-18 2024-02-23 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Connector with a plurality of connectors
CN211428391U (en) * 2019-11-20 2020-09-04 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Card edge connector
CN210897707U (en) * 2019-12-11 2020-06-30 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Card edge connector
MY199063A (en) * 2019-12-27 2023-10-11 Smart Modular Tech Sdn Bhd Rugged memory module retainer clip system
TW202220305A (en) 2020-03-13 2022-05-16 大陸商安費諾商用電子產品(成都)有限公司 Reinforcing member, electrical connector, circuit board assembly and insulating body
US11973286B2 (en) 2020-06-01 2024-04-30 Amphenol Commercial Products (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. Electrical connector and manufacturing method thereof
US11710923B2 (en) 2020-07-31 2023-07-25 Amphenol Commercial Products (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. Compact, reliable card edge connector
CN212874843U (en) 2020-08-31 2021-04-02 安费诺商用电子产品(成都)有限公司 Electrical connector
CN114597707A (en) 2020-12-04 2022-06-07 安费诺商用电子产品(成都)有限公司 Card edge connector with locking system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH05159829A (en) * 1991-12-09 1993-06-25 Du Pont Singapore Pte Ltd Electric socket
JP3015081U (en) 1995-01-20 1995-08-29 モレックス インコーポレーテッド Electrical connector for connecting printed circuit boards
TW356970U (en) 1998-02-17 1999-04-21 Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd Electric connector with lock apparatus
TW392984U (en) * 1998-03-26 2000-06-01 Advanced Connectek Inc Connector for circuit board
TWM249287U (en) 2003-12-19 2004-11-01 Molex Taiwan Ltd Card edge connector
CN100416938C (en) * 2004-11-04 2008-09-03 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 electrical connector
US7252523B1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2007-08-07 Tyco Electronics Corporation Socket connector having latch biasing member

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017054157A1 (en) * 2015-09-30 2017-04-06 Honeywell International Inc. Guide and support apparatus for printed circuit board
CN106659045A (en) * 2015-09-30 2017-05-10 霍尼韦尔国际公司 Guide and support equipment for printed circuit board
US10264683B2 (en) 2015-09-30 2019-04-16 Honeywell International Inc. Guide and support apparatus for printed circuit board
CN106659045B (en) * 2015-09-30 2020-04-10 霍尼韦尔国际公司 Guiding and supporting device for printed circuit boards
CN110789309A (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-14 矢崎总业株式会社 Connector for sunshade board
CN110970749A (en) * 2019-12-19 2020-04-07 上海创功通讯技术有限公司 ZIF connector, ZIF connector combination and terminal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20080220642A1 (en) 2008-09-11
US7677907B2 (en) 2010-03-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN201041843Y (en) electrical connector
CN201041841Y (en) card edge connector
CN201041840Y (en) card edge connector
CN201436718U (en) electrical connector
CN201207526Y (en) Electric connector
CN203631808U (en) Electric connector
CN204376051U (en) Electronic card coupler
CN201142436Y (en) electronic card connector
CN102064404A (en) Electric connector assembly
CN201112846Y (en) electrical connector
CN201498674U (en) card edge connector
CN202906112U (en) Electronic card connector
TWI312212B (en) Low insertion force socket
CN200941513Y (en) battery connector
CN102412458A (en) Electric connector
CN201315361Y (en) Connector for circuit board
CN101677154B (en) Electric connector
CN201142478Y (en) Improved structure of battery connector
CN201230059Y (en) Electric connector
JP2014154351A (en) Card connector
CN201608375U (en) electrical connector
CN201069848Y (en) Battery connector
CN206712171U (en) Coaxial connector
CN114156691B (en) Plug connection structure and plug connector
CN104577416B (en) Electric connector

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
C14 Grant of patent or utility model
GR01 Patent grant
CX01 Expiry of patent term

Granted publication date: 20080326

CX01 Expiry of patent term